Anonimo asked 10 anni ago
Hello Elena! What a great website you have! I am a solo traveler and would love to visit the Tuscany countryside. Ideally, I just want to relax and enjoy the landscape by walking or renting a bike. I am really lost on how to go about planning such a trip. Here are more specifics:
Relax and enjoy countryside for 3-5 days by doing daily walks or cycles from my accommodation (somewhere from Mid-End July).
Accommodation for less than $100/night.
Suggestions on trails, routes, cafes and etc.
I honestly don’t even know what I am looking for! Anything will help — even an itinerary! I am already visiting Florence, Cinque Terre and a day trip to San Gimignano.
Thank you!
Tina
elena nacci Staff answered 10 anni ago
Here I am Glad to hear you like my website!
To start with you would decide what part of the Tuscan countryside you’d like to stay.
The best areas in the countryside, popular for their beauty and ideal for walking and biking are Chianti, the territory of San Gimignano, and the Val d’Orcia. Chianti is characterized by forests, high hills, a lot of trees. The Val d’Orcia is instead all gentle and soft hills and curvy roads. San Gimignano area is more similar to Chianti and really very beautiful.
Here is also some useful info on biking in Tuscany.
Take a look at the links and get back to me once you have a more clear idea as to where you’d most like to stay
Enjoy the weekend,
elena
tsingeThank you for getting back to me! I have done a little more research and have asked around and most people have told me that biking is too difficult because of all the hills and weather. I am a beginner and just wanted to casually stroll on a bike or walk. So I am thinking of now renting a car. What do you think? And I think I would like to visit both Chianti and Val d’Orcia. Can you provide me with a fun and easy itinerary along with some recommendations on places to stay that are under $100/night? I am not looking for a fancy vacation .. just a chance to relax, meet some locals and experience the landscape, food and wine. Thank you!
elena nacci Staff answered 10 anni ago
In Val d’Orcia I recommend staying at the charming B&B La Casa di Adelina located in the hill town of Monticchiello that faces Pienza with stunning views.
As for a fun and easy itinerary, in addition to exploring Chianti itself and visiting the unmissable Florence, I would then go south-west to reach the beautiful and popular San Gimignano and its medieval towers, then come again east to visit Monteriggioni before reaching the wonderful Siena.
You can then proceed south to reach the Val d’Orcia and your second base near Pienza. Once here, you will have many things to see, while driving through curvy roads running among gentle hills and a enchanting landscape. Montalcino, Bagno Vignoni, and Montepulciano are all to be visited.
I remain at your disposal,
elena
elena nacci Staff answered 10 anni ago
In Cortona I’d recommend staying at Hotel Villa Marsili, located in the town center.
That popular and beautiful photo of the farmhouse is called Belvedere and is very near Pienza, one of the farmhouses looking at Pienza, like Agriturismo il Rigo.
Have a nice day,
elena
Hi Elena,I heard rumors that Tuscany right now is brown and not green. Is that true? That the landscape is brown?Thanks!
elena nacciCiao!
Despite the hot temperatures, Tuscany is still green 🙂 Of course many fields can be golden brown but that’s because of the wheat crop.
Enjoy the weekend,
elena
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replied 10 anni ago
Thank you so much, this is amazing! If I were to do all of these places, how many days in each village do you think I need? Also, do you have a recommendation for a place to stay in Cortona?
replied 10 anni ago
And can I just ask where this photo of Val d’Orcia is? I assume it’s the most common photo for when people search this destination ..http://m.swp.nu/world/val-dorcia-5279/